New Graduate Students

A Message from the Dean

On behalf of Wilfrid Laurier University, I am pleased to advise you
have been offered admission to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral
Studies at Laurier. Congratulations on achieving this important step in
your educational goals. Laurier offers a unique graduate experience, and
I am confident that your experience will be educationally enriching,
and professionally rewarding. You have become a member of a vibrant
scholarly community, contributing to the research activities of your
program with the mentorship of highly-skilled researchers and teachers.

This handbook is intended to provide you with some of the necessary
tools as you embark on your academic program of study at Laurier. It is
not intended to be the final authority on graduate studies policies and
procedures; rather, it is a starting point for you. The graduate calendar is the official document concerning academic regulations.

Review the checklist below to ensure your readiness for the start of term. My office staff are here to help you, so do not hesitate to contact us should you require assistance.

Sincerely,

Joan E. Norris, PhD, CPsych

To Do

More information

Accept your Offer of Admission

You have 21 days to accept your offer. Please consult an email entitled "Admission to Graduate Studies at Laurier". The e-mail will provide you with your user ID and default PIN required to login and accept your office of admission. If you have any questions please contact
the program or your Graduate Admissions and Records Officer.

Accept your Funding

If applicable, please sign all copies of your TA offer. Return the signed original plus one copy to the Office of Graduate and
Postdoctoral Studies.

Complete and submit the direct deposit form (required of each graduate student holding any scholarship or teaching assistantship).

Earnings from employment earning sources (e.g. teaching assistantships, research assistantships) are paid out throughout the term (see pay schedule).

It is important that you have resources to cover the initial costs of graduate school (tuition and incidental fees) prior to being paid by the university from other sources of university funding (e.g TAships).

Clear conditions on your Offer of Admission

Admission conditions, if any, are stipulated on the offer of admission,
with specified deadlines. Official documentation indicating successful
completion of admission conditions (e.g., official university transcript
confirming the undergraduate or graduate degree has been completed with
the required academic standing, and containing confirmation that the
degree has been granted) must be received in the Faculty of Graduate and
Postdoctoral Studies Office by the deadline as stated in the offer of
admission.

If you are unable to meet the stipulated deadline, you should
contact the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office as soon
as possible to discuss a possible extension of the time limitation.

Submit your Confirmation Deposit(Social Work, Business and Finance students only)

The confirmation deposit is due within three (3) weeks of your response
to the offer. A certified cheque or money order payable to Wilfrid
Laurier University must be attached to the Confirmation Deposit Form and
forwarded by mail.

Contact your department

Undertake preliminary discussions about your program of study
(courses required, timelines for program-specific tasks such as
submission of proposal, etc.).

Register for Courses

New graduate
students may register for courses for the fall 2014, winter 2015 and
spring 2015 academic terms using the LORIS system. LORIS is open for registration as of May 15 annually.

Email is one of the official means by which the university will
communicate with you. Official notices and questions from the university
will be forwarded to your Laurier email address, so you must be prepared to
access the mailbox at this address.

Update Your Contact information

If your contact information changes, you must notify the university (log
into LORIS with your Student Identification Number and pin, and select
the "Personal Information Menu" tab).

Read the Graduate Academic Calendar

The academic calendar outlines general university regulations and policies as they
pertain to graduate students on matters pertaining to student, program,
and university responsibilities, policies on academic integrity,
program-specific admission and degree requirements, course descriptions,
academic dates, and more.

Sign up for your OneCard

All graduate students must have a Laurier OneCard. The OneCard is your
identification card, meal card, library card, door access card and
athletics card. After you have registered, visit the Laurier OneCard
Office (located in the lower Concourse) to obtain your OneCard.

Apply to for a parking permit

If you need to park on campus for an extended period of time, you must
apply for a parking permit for “non-residence” students. Permits are
granted by lottery, and applications and their submission deadlines are
noted on the Laurier Parking Services website. Alternatively, pay and
display lots are available on campus. You can also park on city streets
where permitted for a maximum of 3 hours.

Navigating your success at Laurier begins by registering for GPSS. This event provides an invaluable professional development opportunity for new graduate students.

Consult the GSA website for information about health and dental plans

All full-time and part-time graduate students who are members of the GSA
are automatically covered by the GSA Health & Dental Plan. The fees
will appear on your tuition bill in September. Students starting their
studies in January are not automatically assessed for the Plan but can
self-enrol during the Change-of-Coverage Period in January.

Apply for Awards and Scholarships

Students are expected to apply for any awards or scholarships for which they may be eligible. Consult our website concerning application requirements and deadlines for major award competitions each fall which require university pre-selection.

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